Weeds and Weed Killers

On top of being unsightly, weeds take moisture and nutrients away from your plants.

The best and most time-proven method of getting rid of weeds is to pull them out by hand. Fingers are the best tools. Nab them while they are small and before they have a chance to bloom and go to seed. They will come out easily - especially if the ground is moist. Use a small trowel on the larger ones to make sure you get the root.

To get a head start on weeds, you can use mulch around your flowers and shrubs. Organic mulch from the compost pile applied thickly is best. Organic mulch is environmentally friendly and acts as a natural fertilizer. Some weeds will still appear, but they will be rooted in the mulch and very easy to pull out.

Another method of weed control is to put down plastic liner material and then plant your flowers and shrubs through holes punched in the liner. You can finish up with pine bark or even pebbles over the plastic. This is an effective way to prevent weed growth and also conserves moisture.

Of course, there are commercial weed killers and herbicides to get rid of weeds in your lawn and landscape. They require very little effort to apply. But caution is advised - chemicals are harmful and if improperly applied can damage your plants. Be sure you read the labels so that you apply them properly. Some of these chemicals are harmful if you breathe them in or if they come in contact with your skin.

The best herbicides and the best-laid plastic liners are not completely fool proof. Inevitably it will be necessary to pull weeds by hand. By selectively weeding and grooming your flowerbeds, you will have a better-looking garden and get some exercise to boot.